Oceanskater’s Blog

For those of you who haven’t been following the news story that I posted about last week, the Afghan man who converted to Christianity was cleared of his charges and was seeking asylum in another country. Then he was suddenly released into the custody of his family. The first part was good news, but the second wasn’t, as it had been his family who turned him in in the first place. Then he sort of disappeared. Thank God he’s shown up in Italy.

Here’s the story:

Afghan Christian convert arrives in Italy

It’s 53 degrees in Boston. That may not sound warm to you, but it makes life a little easier, for some reason.

The seminar this weekend went very well. I found it to be so refreshing. We had quite a showing from Alive in Christ, which was of course encouraging since last year, only Roy & I went. My teaching went well, I think. I had a bit too much information, even though I didn’t go over my time. It was just so great to share about something that has made such an impact in my life and changed the way I view myself and God. My prayer was that I’d be able to communicate just a fraction of my passion. I hope I was able to do that.

Some of you know that Roy & I have been thinking of buying a place. We’ve been going to open houses and talking with realtors. Well, I just found out less than 5 minutes ago that we need to move from our current place. Our landpeople (landlady and landman) have decided to sell the house in which we rent a floor. So, it’s either move into another apartment or buy something. Please keep this in our prayers. I never thought I’d be staying in Boston long-term, so this would be a big decision.

And I’ll end with a praise report. Roy & I and a few of my close friends have been praying fervently for a young friend of mine for a while now. He’s been through some rough times. What has been so amazing for me is to see God, one by one, answer all of our prayers. Every single one. Even when things seemed hopeless, God was listening and working hard. Last night, after He responded to yet another of our pleas, God reminded me that He cares even more than I do for our young friend. It’s just been humbling. I have never before in my walk with God seen Him work so powerfully and consistently. Of course, He’s always been working in all things, but I guess I just wasn’t able to see it.

He is God, and He is good - at His core, He is good.

I’m so glad CNN.com is covering this story:

Death could await Christian convert in Afghanistan

This morning when I got on the Internet, it was the top story. I pray that people continue to be outraged and that this father of two who refuses to denounce his faith in Christ will be saved.

So, I did succeed in coming down with a nasty cold/flu last week. I think I’m finally in the home stretch of getting over it. If you could continue to pray for me, that would be great. I’m beginning to work on my teaching for the weekend, and I need lots and lots of God’s help.

I have several important events on the horizon that I’d like to tell you about and ask you to pray for. My body has also chosen this time to try and come down with a cold and fever. I’m attacking it ferociously with zinc and vitamin C, but I believe your prayers would be more effective

Here’s what’s coming up:

First, Hugh (one of the male leaders in Alive in Christ and I will be teaching a class during the upcoming session of Christian Formation classes at the church where Alive in Christ meets. Our class is entitled “Homosexuality: A Biblical Perspective & Solution”. We’ve been purposeful in choosing to offer this class during the evening time slot as we hope to attract people who may not necessarily have a Biblical understanding of same-sex attraction. Hugh and I are really looking forward to this.

Second, I’m currently preparing to teach a class at the upcoming ReCreation Ministries Sexual Healing seminar. The basic theme of the seminar is the father heart of God. I’ll be teaching on a class called “You are God’s Favorite: Living in the Reality of God’s Fierce Tenderness”, so please pray for me and my preparation.

Thanks! And I’ll keep you updated on my health.

Republicans/conservatives are far more likely to describe themselves as “very happy” (45%) compared to Democrats/liberals (28%).

I thought I’d do an “Introduction to BK” post to share more about me.

I’m primarily a follower of Jesus Christ.

I have 3 part-time jobs.

First and foremost, I am the director of Alive in Christ, a Boston-area ministry for people who struggle with same-sex attraction.

I work for a web design company. I’m basically a couple steps up from secretary.

I work at a coffeeshop.

I’m 30 years old, relatively soon to be 31.

I’m married to a wonderful, godly man. He’s fun.

I have it in my heart and etched in my soul to be a worship leader. I’m sure it will happen someday. I was leading worship at a wonderful church for awhile. I’m sure I will do it again when my schedule isn’t so full and I can devote more time to it.

I’m a singer/songwriter, and I play the guitar relatively well and the piano not so well I’ve completed about 65 songs since I became a follower of Christ in January of 1999. You can listen to some of my recent tinkerings here. I love animals, particularly dogs.

That’s all for now